Who really knows about Brock? There's not enough real under center data yet to make any sort of informed evaluation. The Bronco organization hasn't tipped it's hand about how they see Brock's potential... They haven't cut him loose and they have him as #2. They must see something... I'll go with that for now.

Even without completely flushing out Brock's ceiling they could learn a lot in just a couple of NFL starts. Enough to put a price tag on the idea of keeping him around. In six or seven starts the basic pattern of the ceiling might be visible.

Unless Brock shows signs of more advanced ability with progressions and reading defenses any tag option seems almost unthinkable. With the number of QBs signing $100 million dollar contracts the tag numbers will make Elway's nose bleed.

If Elway really likes the development he might dangle a mid priced extension next year. A bird in the hand, some escalator clauses, and a chance to stay in the same offense might tempt the kid to stick around. There would have to some signs of mortality from QB1 to sell the whole idea.

PA wrote:Who really knows about Brock? There's not enough real under center data yet to make any sort of informed evaluation. The Bronco organization hasn't tipped it's hand about how they see Brock's potential... They haven't cut him loose and they have him as #2. They must see something... I'll go with that for now.

Oh no, you can't think that way. Didn't you know that two pre-seasons is enough to evaluate a QB?

Yeah I agree with you, there isn't enough evidence to claim Osweiler is a bust but some hated him from the minute he was drafted so their opinion is meaningless in this discussion.

PA wrote:Who really knows about Brock? There's not enough real under center data yet to make any sort of informed evaluation. The Bronco organization hasn't tipped it's hand about how they see Brock's potential... They haven't cut him loose and they have him as #2. They must see something... I'll go with that for now.

Oh no, you can't think that way. Didn't you know that two pre-seasons is enough to evaluate a QB?

Yeah I agree with you, there isn't enough evidence to claim Osweiler is a bust but some hated him from the minute he was drafted so their opinion is meaningless in this discussion.

PA wrote:Who really knows about Brock? There's not enough real under center data yet to make any sort of informed evaluation. The Bronco organization hasn't tipped it's hand about how they see Brock's potential... They haven't cut him loose and they have him as #2. They must see something... I'll go with that for now.

Oh no, you can't think that way. Didn't you know that two pre-seasons is enough to evaluate a QB?

Yeah I agree with you, there isn't enough evidence to claim Osweiler is a bust but some hated him from the minute he was drafted so their opinion is meaningless in this discussion.

One question that is important for understanding the Broncos defensive needs as they get ready for the draft: How good is Nate Irving in coverage?

It would be fun to have coaches film, especially of the two playoff games. You could figure out Irving's scheme roles. He did play coverage because he was listed in coverage and listed as making stops in the play by play. How many of his drops into coverage were from the Sam position? How much did he play the nickel?

In 2012 they used to play a hybrid 434 that looked a lot like a big nickel, with Danny T. on the LOS locked up in man coverage (like a cover safety) while Brooking and Woodyard played the second level. Were they playing this formation again with Irving and Woodyard?

In any case, the injuries to Miller and Woodyard seem to have forced Irving onto the field in a wider variety of roles than he ever played before. He seems to have played quite well. This has to be part of the Broncos lack of urgency with free agent linebackers, which was manifested as stinginess. Why pay a guy five or six million dollars if you think there's a good chance he will lose out to Irving in the nickel?

PA wrote:Who really knows about Brock? There's not enough real under center data yet to make any sort of informed evaluation. The Bronco organization hasn't tipped it's hand about how they see Brock's potential... They haven't cut him loose and they have him as #2. They must see something... I'll go with that for now.

Oh no, you can't think that way. Didn't you know that two pre-seasons is enough to evaluate a QB?

Actually...evauluating players is what the pre-season is all about. The final score doesn't matter but how a player performs over and over again seems to be a fairly decent barometer in measuring a players success. Think back....how many quality Bronco players first caught your eye in a pre-season game? For Me? John Mobley, Terrel Davis, Rod Smith and Shannon Sharpe just too name a few. My reservations about The Big O is that he rarely moves the team when he is inserted into a game...even in pre-season. I am very curious too see what Zac Dysert will have to say about the "Osweiler is the Broncos future" talk.The Little Guy

Even if it means my death the evil poison of hatred and bigotry which they're trying to spread in the name of Patriotism must be wiped out. Captain America

retro-grouch wrote: This has to be part of the Broncos lack of urgency with free agent linebackers, which was manifested as stinginess. Why pay a guy five or six million dollars if you think there's a good chance he will lose out to Irving in the nickel?

I also think it's a simple matter of....you cannot fix everything that is wrong with a 22nd ranked defense in one off season. IMHO Denver's defense had the most talent at Defensive Tackle and Linebacker. So it's no surprise that the premium free agent dollars went elsewhere.The Little Guy

Even if it means my death the evil poison of hatred and bigotry which they're trying to spread in the name of Patriotism must be wiped out. Captain America

I am going to watch how the Broncos use BO in preseason and wait and see what if any QB moves they make.If only I was as prescient as some of you hindsight maroons. Here is what I don't understand --- the same guys who picked BO in the second round picked Dysert in the 7th. Neither one has had played a real down in the NFL. How do you guys know?Given the fact that JE replaced Tebow with Peyton, I am going to defer to his judgment.

I was all for getting Osweiler playing time in a few of the Bronco blowouts last season.

The only way a young QB learns anything and can progress is if he is in the game. I want to see how he can move in the pocket long enough to throw a pass at least 40 yards. All he has shown so far in his career is tendencies to throw it into a crowd and up for grabs under a rush. If he can play as well as Flacco I'd be happy. If he can't do it put in Dysert and try it.

The possible at the Mike position would be Jordan Tripp from Momtana, I have watched this kid your 4 years and this guy is for real. He will play inside or outside. He holds the most coveted honor in Montana and that would be to wear the number 37. He led the Senior Bowl in Tackles. Just look at the film, I think you will understand.

retro-grouch wrote:One question that is important for understanding the Broncos defensive needs as they get ready for the draft: How good is Nate Irving in coverage?

It would be fun to have coaches film, especially of the two playoff games. You could figure out Irving's scheme roles. He did play coverage because he was listed in coverage and listed as making stops in the play by play. How many of his drops into coverage were from the Sam position? How much did he play the nickel?

In 2012 they used to play a hybrid 434 that looked a lot like a big nickel, with Danny T. on the LOS locked up in man coverage (like a cover safety) while Brooking and Woodyard played the second level. Were they playing this formation again with Irving and Woodyard?

In any case, the injuries to Miller and Woodyard seem to have forced Irving onto the field in a wider variety of roles than he ever played before. He seems to have played quite well. This has to be part of the Broncos lack of urgency with free agent linebackers, which was manifested as stinginess. Why pay a guy five or six million dollars if you think there's a good chance he will lose out to Irving in the nickel?

I thought Irving played well filling in for Miller. I also thought he was one of the few bright spots during the SB fiasco.

Irving up to that point was a complete bust. He's not cut out to play the middle. I say you hang on to him till we find out if Miller can stay away from maryjane.

What was lol funny was klis touting Matt Russell's ability to find a MIKE in the draft because he played one in college.

It's been 3 years of draft recruits for Matt and not a MIKE to show for it.

retro-grouch wrote: This has to be part of the Broncos lack of urgency with free agent linebackers, which was manifested as stinginess. Why pay a guy five or six million dollars if you think there's a good chance he will lose out to Irving in the nickel?

I also think it's a simple matter of....you cannot fix everything that is wrong with a 22nd ranked defense in one off season. IMHO Denver's defense had the most talent at Defensive Tackle and Linebacker. So it's no surprise that the premium free agent dollars went elsewhere.The Little Guy

In retrospect, it looks as if they would have signed either Beason or Smith if they could have gotten to a number that they liked, which must have been about a million less than other teams were offering. That might have forced them to either look for a cheaper WR or use more future cap space to get Sanders signed.

Several conditions intersected: One, ILB was not their biggest priority, two, the MLB market was bubbled, and three, there wasn't much to look at under $5 million dollars (which explains the bubble).

I know we've lost some good talent, but how can you not expect us to be better defensively with Ware, Talib, Ward and all those injured starters coming back? I seriously expect us to be a top-5 defense, especially when we take 10+ point leads and release the hounds.

Offensively we won't be quite as good, but Sanders was a very good addition and I don't think we'll see too much drop-off with Ball as the featured back. We can make up for Beadles by inserting Montgomery at center and moving Ramirez back to guard, or just making some shifts on the line.

The only big concern I have is CJ Andersen as our 2nd RB. A lot of uncertainty there, though clearly Elway/Fox think he's ready.

Not this, again, already. This is getting as bad and retreaded as "Orlando Franklin Moving to Guard...Again...Maybe." No one writing at the DP has any idea what the Broncos are thinking about Brock, and neither do we. It's pretty obvious what the FO thinks about the guy, there's plenty of articles out there about him and his work ethic. I know this is a mailbag, but at least try to answer the question in an intelligent way, or just plain out say "I don't know" and move on.

It's always about competition with these Broncos, so it'll be interesting to see what arm Elway brings in this year. Dysert might be in the cross hairs already, word is the Broncos really like the kid coming out of Wyoming. Even though I hate the Cowboys, the kid seems to be getting some press.

The most interesting thing about this is, will a Hall of Fame QB EVER stop looking at arms? I think not, but at least he has an idea about what he wants, and that's a good start.

The way I view the 2014 FA moves on defense is a steady plan to maintain the long-term plan with regard to the type of personnel the coaches and FO are looking for. In 2012, the Broncos had the #2 overall defense, which included two top edge rushers and a shutdown corner. The 2013 defense was ranked #19, mostly a product of injuries and a suspension, and Phillips was a patch-up job for Dumvervil's departure. Now Ware takes over the second edge-rushing spot in 2014 and Talib is the shutdown corner replacing DRC. Moreover, we get our #1 edge rusher back, free of suspensions, injuries (keep our fingers crossed) and back at his lower, nimbler weight. Harris Jr. is on the up replacing Champ who is on the downside of his career. So the only major change I see on defense is upgrading the SS positing by bringing in TJ Ward.

On offense, again, no major changes as far as the planned strategy from the FO and the coaches., Sanders replaces Decker (although Caldwell and G. Robinson will push hard for the WR2 in camp), Montee Ball replaces Moreno for a higher price/production yield and the LG position will be worked out by starting the best 5th lineman from the ones in the Broncos' stable and I am willing to bet that it will be an upgrade over Beadles, who had a surprising dip in his production last season.

So even though the Broncos have brought in some big signings, they are replacements to the high-quality players that left. The FO and the coaches have done an excellent job over the past 3 years of bringing in marquee players and coaching up the diamonds in the rough, but it's not like this team lacked talent over the past couple of years. It's been more of a musical-chair game.